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Much of Santiago de Cuba is without electricity this Wednesday, following a fault in the 110kV line that disabled the Héctor Pavón, Santiago Norte, and Este substations, impacting several circuits in the province, according to the local Electric Company.
Through their Facebook page, the entity reported yet another issue regarding energy matters and stated that “our specialists are investigating the causes to provide more information on the matter.”
Meanwhile, the national outlook is equally bleak. The report from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) forecasted this Wednesday that the generation deficit would exceed 2,000 MW during peak demand hours, a figure that condemns the National Electric System (SEN) and causes continuous blackouts throughout the day.
A system on the brink of collapse
On Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., the capacity gap escalated to 2,052 MW, exceeding what the authorities themselves had anticipated. The immediate cause was the failure to bring unit 5 of the Renté Power Plant into operation, as well as the engines of the Fuel Mariel plant, critical components that remain out of service.
At 6:00 a.m. this Wednesday, the availability of the SEN barely reached 1,400 MW, against a demand of 2,750 MW, leaving more than 1,300 MW uncovered. For peak hour, the forecast is even worse: only 1,580 MW of availability against 3,500 MW of demand, a brutal gap of nearly 2,000 MW.
Empty promises
Despite the magnitude of the crisis, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, insisted that the situation could improve in October. A promise that, like so many others, sounds like a tool of political manipulation to instill hope in a population that has been enduring prolonged blackouts and an increasingly deteriorated electrical system for months.
The information was shared this Wednesday by official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso on his Facebook profile, following a conversation with the Minister of Energy and Mines.
De la O acknowledged the critical situation of the National Electric System (SEN), worsened by the shutdown of unit 1 at Felton, failures in the Mariel motors, the tripping of Nuevitas 5, and the failure to bring Renté 5 back online after maintenance, which raises doubts about the promises made.
The official explained that the crisis is exacerbated by the combination of aging equipment, postponed maintenance, and a lack of funding for capital repairs, the same arguments used by the regime to justify its inability over the past years.
He also admitted that out of the eight floating generation barges, only two remain in the country, contributing just 70 MW, as the others were withdrawn due to the inability to pay the contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
What is the cause of the blackout in Santiago de Cuba?
The blackout was caused by a shot in the 110kV line, which left several substations in Santiago de Cuba out of service and affected numerous circuits in the province. The local Electric Company is investigating the exact causes of the incident.
What is the situation of the National Electric System in Cuba?
The National Electric System (SEN) of Cuba faces a generation deficit exceeding 2,000 MW, resulting in continuous blackouts across the country. The system operates on the brink of collapse due to the inoperability of several thermoelectric units and a lack of fuel for distributed generation.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to improve the electrical situation?
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, promised improvements in October, mentioning the reactivation of key units and an increase in solar generation. However, these promises are seen as political maneuvers, as the critical situation remains unchanged.
How is the electricity crisis affecting the Cuban population?
The Cuban population is facing prolonged blackouts that affect daily life, with restrictions on access to basic services such as drinking water, food refrigeration, and transportation. The situation is critical in hospitals and schools, and public outrage is growing on social media.
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